The University of Arizona
School of Journalism
Summer 2018 Syllabus
Course title: Photojournalism
Course number: JOUR 203
Course lab & lecture times: Asynchronous Video Lecture & assignments (see below)
(Class lesson access updated daily
Asynchronous learning happens on your schedule. While your course of study, instructor, or program will provide materials for reading, lectures for viewing, assignments for completing, and exams for evaluation, you can access and satisfy these requirements on your own schedule, so long as you meet the expected deadlines.
Instructor: Richard Olsenius
Email: olsenius@email.arizona.edu
Instructor Website: https://americanlandscapegallery.com
Richard Olsenius Bio: Teaching areas are multimedia journalism, photojournalism and videography. Olsenius is an award-winning photographer and videographer with experience in newspaper, magazine and freelance photography; book, video, web design and live multi-media stage production. He worked as a photographer at the Minneapolis Tribune for over a decade, became a contract photographer for National Geographic Magazine and was hired as a photo editor and lead producer for National Geographic Magazine’s first website. His work for Geographic spans 30 years. He is the recipient of the World Press Photo award for his work on Cambodian refugees and the author of over 20 articles and 12 books, including two National Geographic Field Guides, one for Digital Black and White Photography and one for Digital Video.
Syllabus Changes: The information contained in this syllabus is subject to change during the summer session 2021 by the instructor only. Any additions, deletions or corrections will be announced and made available by e-mail.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and acceptance into the major, or consent of School of Journalism.
Textbook: Photojournalism The Professional Approach, by Kenneth Kobre, 7th edition, Focal Press, ISBN: 978-1-138-10136-4
Required Equipment & Software:
A digital camera or phone camera that produces a 10 megapixel file or larger. Newer iPhone or similar is acceptable if image size equals or is larger then 10 megapixels. Today’s current iPhones create 12 megapixels or larger. Student must be able to download image files to their computer for digital processing and data input. Megapixels (MP) is a measure of the image resolution (x pixels wide by y pixels high), whereas megabytes (MB) is a measure 0f saved file size on your hard drive which can vary depending on file type (Jpeg or PSD)it is saved in.
A digital audio recorder or smart phone recording app that saves files in WAV, WMA, AIFF, MP3 or M4A format. The digital recorder or phone MUST have a MIC jack or an adapter for an external mic. The recorder must also be capable of uploading files to a computer via USB.
You can easily record audio on your iPhone using its built-in Voice Memos app, and use the same app to edit and share the recordings you've made. You can also download third-party recording apps from the iPhone's App Store, which offer advanced recording and editing features. But you must learn to download audio files to your computer and edit the sound files.
A separate microphone and headphones that cover your ears and connects either to the audio recorder or iPhone. No bluetooth earbuds.
A portable hard drive or SSD drive with a minimum capacity of 500 gigabytes is recommended. It is your responsibilities to backup and maintain a copy of your assignment work in this class. Work left on the journalism school lab computers or servers is at your own risk and is deleted weekly. Work lost or deleted from journalism lab computers or servers will not be excused.
Connect to Adobe Creative Cloud to access Photoshop, Premier Pro and others that we will touch on.
Course Description:
This is an introductory photojournalism course designed for a concentrated 5-week sequence of asynchronous presented lectures and lessons. The course provides an overview of current photojournalism trends, practices and basic digital skills to produce publishable images. The course will cover a brief history of photography, basic digital imaging techniques that includes elements of lighting, composition, digital workflow, file management, audio recording and caption writing. Copyright and ethics issues in the digital age will also be discussed. The course will focus on what it takes to be photojournalist in this fast-changing world of communication.
Course Goals:
Move beyond the basic skills of “taking” a picture, to “making” publishable images.
Become acquainted with a basic understanding of the importance of visual journalism as a communication tool in society and the power of the still image to convey information.
Learn key concepts and basic techniques used to produce publishable images.
Gain an overview of visual journalism and photojournalism, as they are concerned with people and their stories, whether told in one or multiple images, or in combination with audio and video.
Explore the basics of multimedia by combining still images and audio to tell a story.
Gain a basic understanding of copyright and ethical issues associated with photojournalism.
Discover multiple ways to tells stories about people and place, stories that enhance our human understanding.
Course Objectives
Identify and apply the component rules of composition, perspective and light
Recognize correct exposure and variations in depth of field
Apply AP style to caption writing in Photoshop, Lightroom and others.
Create single and multiple images with strong storytelling components, such as beginning, middle and end; combine images with audio
Recognize the difference between genres of photojournalism such as spot and general news, features, sports and general images.
Strive to make impactful environmental portraits
Use software to edit and process still images, edit and process audio, and to edit and publish audio slide shows.
Dealing with technical issues concerning cameras, audio recorders, microphones, computer hardware and imaging software.
Developing awareness of ethical issues that can arise in the gathering and production of still images, audio
Report on diverse issues and populations in the community
How to photograph in this world where everyone has a camera.
Recognize circumstances that call for releases, and use releases as necessary
Use math concepts for visual journalism (see chart)
Demonstrate knowledge of digital tools used in visual online storytelling, as well as other issues faced by today’s emerging journalists.